Ada Lou Hughes, age 94, of Princeton, passed away Friday, November 10, 2023, at Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville after a brief stay, having lived independently in her own home until recent months.
Ada Lou was born June 2, 1929, to the late Lawrence and Addie Elizabeth Carlton Tabor in Crittenden County where she grew up on a farm in a large, loving family. An excellent student, she graduated from Marion High School and went on to work as a dental assistant before marrying Trice Lee Hughes and moving to Virginia for his military service. There she worked first as an office clerk at the Pentagon and later at a Chevrolet dealership, quickly learning the business skills that later would be instrumental in co-founding Trice Hughes Chevrolet -Oldsmobile with her husband. When the dealership began in Kuttawa she ran the office and continued to work in the business daily when it moved to Princeton in 1959. Eventually, she reduced her time at “the shop” to be home with her four children, the center of her life. An astute businesswoman, she kept her hand in the business for decades.
Ada Lou was a 60-year member of First Baptist Church in Princeton, where she was involved in many facets of church life but most particularly preparing food for church meals and bereaved families and assisting with the finance committee. Her love of children led to over 25 years of service on the advisory board and later board of trustees of the Kentucky Baptist Children’s Homes. She was active in any activities her children were involved in including the CCHS music and football programs. An outstanding cook, she prepared food for Meals on Wheels for older members of the community until she was almost 80 years old herself. Mama Lou, as she was affectionately known, hosted large Sunday dinners that drew her family and friends for years and made a legendary pimento cheese craved by many.
An avid newspaper reader, Mama Lou followed current events and maintained a sharp mind until the very end of her days. She was kind, witty, and loving, with an open heart and inner strength that anyone who met her quickly recognized. Of all her roles in life, none was more meaningful to her than being a grandmother. Mama Lou was dearly loved by her eight grandsons and five granddaughters and she gave them a gift all children should be fortunate enough to have – a grandmother who was always interested in their everyday lives and loved them unconditionally. In her last decade, her favorite pastime was following the lives of her great-grandchildren through photos on her iPad.
She is survived by daughters, Lisabeth Tabor Hughes of Louisville; and Lucinda Hughes Gray of Princeton; sons, Dean Lee (Kelly) Hughes of Princeton, Dann Tabor (Jaye Lynn) Hughes of Princeton; grandchildren, Lee Landes Hughes, Trice Colin Hughes, Daniel Hughes, Ramey West, Samuel M. Abramson, Shelton Lawrence Abramson, William Trice Abramson, Glenn Hughes Gray, Jesse Tabor Hughes, Savannah Daugherty, Caitlyn Traughber and Maura Knight; 15 great-grandchildren; several beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Trice Lee Hughes; granddaughter, Bethany Lou Gray; two sisters; and five brothers.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 14, 2023, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Morgan’s Funeral Home and Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at Southside Baptist Church Family Life Center from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at Southside Baptist Church Family Life Center with Bro. Dane Hodges officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to the George Coon Library Foundation, PO Box 230, Princeton, KY 42445, and Sunrise Children’s Services (formerly Kentucky Baptist Children’s Homes) , PO Box 1429, Mt. Washington, KY 40047.
You may light a candle or share a message with the family at www.morgansfuneralhome.com.
